In a must-win Game 5 for the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks, Derrick White exploded for 34 points, draining seven 3-pointers to lead his team to a dominant 127-102 victory. Without star player Jayson Tatum, who is out with a season-ending injury, Jaylen Brown stepped up in a big way with 26 points and 12 assists, showcasing leadership both offensively and defensively. The Celtics connected on a franchise playoff record-tying 22 3-pointers, igniting their first home win of the series and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
On the other side, the Knicks were led by Josh Hart's 24 points, but ultimately fell short as the Celtics pulled away with a decisive run in the third quarter. Despite a physical and intense game that saw Jalen Brunson fouling out early in the fourth quarter, the Celtics maintained control and are now looking to make history by attempting to come back from a 3-1 series deficit. With Game 6 set to take place in New York, both teams will be gearing up for a crucial showdown with high stakes on the line.